Shallow Hal

Released

Nov 08, 2001

Latest Home Video

Jul 01, 2002

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Cast

Jack Black Gwyneth Paltrow

Studio

2001 20th Century Fox

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Synopsis

Powerfully suggesting that we need to view those around us for who they really are as opposed to their outward appearance, Shallow Hal provides a refreshing perspective on body image. Unfortunately, it also serves up a full course of crudities, profanities, and other sexual banter.

Content Details

Here is additional information on sex, violence and profanity in Shallow Hal...

Overall: C+ Powerfully suggesting that we need to view those around us for who they really are as opposed to their outward appearance, Shallow Hal provides a refreshing perspective on body image. Unfortunately, it also serves up a full course of crudities, profanities, and other sexual banter, dropping it below our recommended grades.

Violence: A- Man speaks about another man with a physical disability in a demeaning way. Man yells at another man.

Sexual Content: D+ Many instances of men talking about women using crude or derogatory phrases. Many scenes feature women wearing tank tops without bras and other revealing clothing. Women dance seductively in nightclub. Man shown wearing only his boxers. Man frequently uses crude terms to describe female breasts, and in one case discusses squeezing them. Man crudely discusses male anatomy. Man crudely discusses his need for a bowel movement and the resulting outcome. Woman wears extremely high and tight shorts. Woman wears revealing bedtime attire which she slowly removes while a man watches her (we see the back view) then they are shown in bed together the next morning. Man makes crude condescending remark about having sex with obese people. Man who has to crawl to get around due to a physical disability constantly makes sexual remarks, including identifying women by their underwear—in one scene a woman asks him if he recognizes her panties. Woman in dress falls on floor, revealing her panties. Portrayal of cross-dressing male. Man asks woman if she’s wearing panties. Man and woman engage in French kiss. Man pulls pants down slightly to show another man a birth defect on his lower back.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B- Man given morphine for medical purposes. A few scenes portray people in bars or nightclubs drinking alcohol. Main characters shown drinking beer on at least two occasions. People drink wine with dinner. Woman smokes cigarette.

Home Video Viewing Alternatives

Here are some ideas for home video titles that are related to Shallow Hal.

If looking beyond the surface is a romance theme that appeals to you, check out Shrek and Follow The Stars Home (the latter takes a complex look at what character traits have the most value, without the content concerns presented here). Beauty and the Beast offers a similar moral in a family friendly format.

News & Views About Shallow Hal:

If you haven’t heard of the Lammily doll yet, I’m beginning to think you soon will. It’s one of those ideas that, the moment I saw it, I thought, “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” Good thing Nickolay Lamm did.

Canadian Home Video Rating: PG

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